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YMCA Camp Kitaki

Neil "Sherps" Walter

Neil "Sherps" Walter

Program Director

nwalter [at] ymcalincoln.org

402-434-9227

Meet Sherps

Sherps was adopted by a loving family in Kearney when he was five days old. His older sister Kara, who was six at the time, was the first person in the family to hold him. Sherps and his family later moved to Lincoln, where he graduated from Lincoln East High School. Sherps started attending Kitaki at the age of seven and has climbed the ladder from camper, to SK, to summer staff, and eventually joined our full-time team.

Education and Work Experience

Sherps attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney where he majored in Recreation Management with a minor in Political Science. Alongside his college career Sherps worked at Kitaki, serving as a counselor from 2001-2006. Prior to coming on full time as Program Director at Kitaki in 2011, Sherps worked at the Kearny Family YMCA as the Youth and Adult Sports Coordinator and as Program Director at the Eastern Nebraska 4-H Center.

In addition to his work for Kitaki, Sherps serves the Legislative Chair on the Local Council of Leaders for the American Camp Association Great Rivers chapter. He is also an ACA visitor, traveling to different camps each summer to make sure they are incompliance with over 140 standards.

Family

Sherps recently married Lady Sherps, who is known as Carrie to the rest of the world. They met at Kitaki in 2005 and currently live in Omaha with their dog, Ollie. Carrie works as the Program Director for Catholic Charities in Omaha. They are looking forward to moving to the Louisville, NE area in the near future!

Why Kitaki?

Sherps loves working at Kitaki for many reasons, but at the top of his list are his coworkers. He says “we are constantly pushing each other to be innovative and to continue to improve the camp experience to make it more memorable and more impactful. I feel lucky that I get to work with such a talented, supportive, and dedicated group of individuals every day”.

Primary Responsibilities

Program Area supervision, most notably Challenge Courses and Aquatics. Sherps is also in charge of the majority of our campouts.

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Because of Camp

Kitaki has absolutely shaped who I am and who I want to be. I am so thankful to be a part of a group of people that has such a passion for kids and a fun-loving outlook on life. I've found some of my biggest role models at camp and am amazed by the way campers have influenced my life. Without a doubt, it is the greatest gift I've ever been given!